Threaded mold decoupling system

ABSTRACT

A threaded mold decoupling system includes at least one unscrewing assembly rotatably coupled to a mounting plate and disposed in proximity to a threaded core of an injection mold, an elevator assembly having a first elevator element rotatably coupled to the mounting plate and a second elevator element connected to a fixed plate, the fixed plate opposing the mounting plate, and a driving assembly disposed in operative communication with the at least one unscrewing assembly and with the first elevator element of the elevator assembly. The driving assembly is configured to actuate the at least one unscrewing assembly to rotate a molded article about a longitudinal axis of the threaded core and actuate the first elevator element relative to the second elevator element to linearly translate the mounting plate relative to the fixed plate and to translate the molded article along the longitudinal axis of the threaded core.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2016/054435 filed on Sep. 29, 2016, entitled “Threaded MoldDecoupling System” which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/235,956, filed on Oct. 1, 2015, entitled “ThreadedMold Decoupling System,” the contents and teachings of each of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Conventional injection molds are utilized to manufacture a variety ofmolded articles. For example, certain injection molds are used toproduce threaded molded articles, such as threaded plastic covers forbottles or other containers. These injection molds utilize threadedcores to form the threads in the molded articles.

At the end of a molding cycle, a variety of mechanisms can be utilizedto remove the threaded molded articles from the corresponding threadedcores. The removal mechanism utilized, however, can depend upon thedesign of the molded articles.

For example, if the plastic material of the threaded molded article issubstantially flexible or resilient, the removal mechanism can push thethreaded molded article from the threaded core, such as by using aconventional stripper ring. Alternately, if the plastic material is notsufficiently flexible, the removal mechanism can unscrew the threadedmolded article from the corresponding threaded core to minimize damageto the threads. For example, the removal mechanism can be configured asa :hydraulically operated rack and stripper plate. Actuation of thehydraulically operated rack can rotate the threaded cores of theinjection mold relative to the molded articles in order to decouple thethreads of the cores from the corresponding threads of the moldedarticles. The mechanically actuated, mechanically timed stripper platethen ejects each threaded molded article from the corresponding threadedcore.

SUMMARY

Conventional molded article removal mechanisms can suffer from a varietyof deficiencies. For example, as provided above, with conventionalinjection molds, threaded cores are typically actuated by ahydraulically operated rack. However, standard clearances andmanufacturing tolerances permit small variations in gear tooth size andpitch between the conventional rack and the gearing mechanism associatedwith the threaded cores. Such variations cause the interacting surfacesof the meshing mechanisms to exhibit small gaps or spaces between theirrespective meshing teeth. These spaces can allow a limited amount ofslack or backlash to enter into the system during operation of the rackand threaded core mechanisms. With the presence of the backlash, thegears of the rack and core mechanisms are prone to wear and can requireconstant lubrication. Accordingly, conventional unscrewing mechanismscan be expensive to maintain.

Additionally, the configuration of conventional rack and threaded coremechanisms limits the speed at which the molded articles can beunscrewed from the threaded cores. For example, rack and pinion systemson conventional stack molds typically can open and close once every fiveseconds. Such operation can limit the quantity of threaded moldedarticles that a conventional injection mold can produce per cycle.

By contrast to conventional injection mold removal mechanisms,embodiments of the present innovation relate to a threaded molddecoupling system. In one arrangement, the threaded mold decouplingsystem, as utilized with an injection mold, includes a driving assemblyhaving a motor assembly, such as a servo motor or a hydraulic motor,which is coupled to a driver element or gear. The driving assembly alsoincludes a set of idler elements or gears and a driving element or gearrotatably mounted to a mounting plate. The threaded mold decouplingsystem further includes an elevator assembly having a first elevatorelement or helical ramp cam follower connected to the driving elementand a second elevator element or helical elevator cam follower connectedto a fixed plate opposing the mounting plate.

During operation of the threaded mold decoupling system, the motorassembly drives the idler elements which, in turn, rotate the drivingelement. Rotation of the driving element causes a set of decoupling orunscrewing assemblies to rotate and decouple threaded molded articlesfrom corresponding threaded cores. Further, rotation of the drivingelements rotates a helical surface of the first elevator elementrelative to a helical surface of the fixed second elevator element tolinearly translate the unscrewing assemblies relative to the fixed plateas they decouple the threaded molded articles from correspondingthreaded core. At the end of the decoupling process, as the mold opens,an ejection mechanism such as a preloaded spring mechanism (e.g., aBellville disc spring mechanism), can advance a stripper plate forwardto eject the threaded molded articles from the corresponding threadedcores. Alternately, an ejection mechanism such as a pneumatic ejectionassist system can eject the molded plastic components from the molds.

The first and second elevator elements are configured to providesubstantially continuous cam action to the threaded mold decouplingsystem. For example, during operation, rotation of the driving elementin a first direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) causes the firstelevator element to rotate in the first direction relative to the secondelevator element. This rotation linearly translates the unscrewingassemblies relative to the fixed plate. Further, following ejection ofthe molded plastic components, rotation of the driving element in asecond direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) causes the firstelevator elements to rotate in a second direction relative to the secondelevator element to rewind the first elevator elements to a startingposition. The substantially continuous cam action provides a relativelyfaster cycle time relative to conventional mechanisms, as it is notnecessary to reset the elevator elements during the cycle. Further, useof the helical ramp cam follower and helical elevator cam followerprovides a relative increase in the speed at which the molded articlescan be decoupled from the threaded cores which, in turn, increases therelative quantity of threaded molded articles that an associatedinjection mold can produce.

In one arrangement, a threaded mold decoupling system includes at leastone unscrewing assembly rotatably coupled to a mounting plate anddisposed in proximity to a threaded core of an injection mold, anelevator assembly having a first elevator element rotatably coupled tothe mounting plate and a second elevator element connected to a fixedplate, the fixed plate opposing the mounting plate, and a drivingassembly disposed in operative communication with the at least oneunscrewing assembly and with the first elevator element of the elevatorassembly. The driving assembly is configured to actuate the at least oneunscrewing assembly to rotate a molded article about a longitudinal axisof the threaded core and actuate the first elevator element relative tothe second elevator element to linearly translate the mounting platerelative to the fixed plate and to translate the molded article alongthe longitudinal axis of the threaded core.

In one arrangement, an ejection system, includes a fixed plate, amounting plate opposing the fixed plate and configured to translaterelative to the fixed plate, and a threaded mold decoupling system. Thethreaded mold decoupling system includes at least one unscrewingassembly rotatably coupled to a mounting plate, the at least oneunscrewing assembly disposed in proximity to a threaded core of aninjection mold, an elevator assembly having a first elevator elementrotatably coupled to the mounting plate and a second elevator elementconnected to a fixed plate, the fixed plate opposing the mounting plate,and a driving assembly disposed in operative communication with the atleast one unscrewing assembly and with the first elevator element of theelevator assembly. The driving assembly is configured to actuate the atleast one unscrewing assembly to rotate a molded article about alongitudinal axis of the threaded core and actuate the first elevatorelement relative to the second elevator element to linearly translatethe mounting plate relative to the fixed plate and to translate themolded article along the longitudinal axis of the threaded core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will beapparent from the following description of particular embodiments of theinnovation, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which likereference characters refer to the same parts throughout the differentviews. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead beingplaced upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of theinnovation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an ejection systemdisposed in a first position, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a threaded mold decouplingsystem of FIG. 1, according to one arrangement

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a driving assembly ofFIG. 2, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of an unscrewing assembly,according to one arrangement.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an elevator assembly, accordingto one arrangement.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a first elevator elementof FIG. 5, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a second elevator elementof FIG. 5, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 8 illustrates a collapsed view of the elevator assembly of FIG. 5,according to one arrangement.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the driving assembly ofFIG. 2, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the ejection system of FIG. 1disposed in a second position, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 11 illustrates an arrangement of a set of unscrewing elementsrelative to a driving element, according to one arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A threaded mold decoupling system, as utilized with an injection mold,includes a driving assembly having a motor assembly, such as a servomotor or a hydraulic motor, which is coupled to a driver element orgear. The driving assembly also includes a set of idler elements orgears and a driving element or gear rotatably mounted to a mountingplate. The threaded mold decoupling system further includes an elevatorassembly having a first elevator element or helical ramp cam followerconnected to the driving element and a second elevator element orhelical elevator cam follower connected to a fixed plate opposing themounting plate.

During operation of the threaded mold decoupling system, the motorassembly drives the idler elements which, in turn, rotate the drivingelement. Rotation of the driving element causes a set of decoupling orunscrewing assemblies to rotate and decouple threaded molded articlesfrom corresponding threaded cores. Further, rotation of the drivingelements rotates a helical surface of the first elevator elementrelative to a helical surface of the fixed second elevator element tolinearly translate the unscrewing assemblies relative to the fixed plateas they decouple the threaded molded articles from correspondingthreaded core. The substantially continuous cam action of the first andsecond elevator elements provides a relatively faster cycle timerelative to conventional mechanisms, as it is not necessary to reset thecams during the cycle.

An example of an ejection system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. In onearrangement, the ejection system 10 includes a fixed plate 200 and amounting plate 104 which opposes the fixed plate 200. As indicated, thefixed plate 200 can be secured in an operating area to limit movementduring operation. The mounting plate 104 is configured to translatealong direction 300 relative to the fixed plate 200. For example, theejection system can include longitudinal supports 101 which allow themounting plate to translate longitudinally along direction 300 relativeto the fixed plate 200 while limiting lateral translation.

The system 10 further includes a threaded mold decoupling system 15disposed in operative communication with the mounting plate 104 and thefixed plate 200. The threaded mold decoupling system 15 includes a setof decoupling or unscrewing assemblies 20, an elevator assembly 40, anda driving assembly 30 disposed in operational communication with theunscrewing assemblies 20 and elevator assembly 40. As indicated in FIG.1, the ejection system 10 can be configured with any number of threadedmold decoupling systems 15. For example, as shown, the ejection system10 can include a first threaded mold decoupling system 15-1 and a secondthreaded mold decoupling system 15-2.

With additional reference to FIG. 10, during operation of an injectionmold 5 which utilizes the ejection system 10, as an injector introducesplastic material into the cavities of the injection mold, each threadedcore 130 is configured to form threads into a portion of the material.At the end of the molding process, the resulting threaded molded articleis threadably mated to the threaded core 130. The driving assembly 30 isconfigured to rotationally and linearly position the unscrewing assembly20 relative to the corresponding set of threaded cores 130 to decouplethreaded molded articles from the corresponding threaded cores 130following a molding procedure. For example, interaction between thedriving assembly 30 and both the unscrewing assembly 20 and thecorresponding elevator assembly 40 can disengage the threaded moldedarticle from the corresponding threaded core 130, as described in detailbelow.

FIG. 2, taken in combination with FIG. 1, illustrates an examplearrangement of the driving assembly 30. The driving assembly 30 isdisposed in operative communication with the set of unscrewingassemblies 20 and at least a portion of the elevator assembly 40 and isconfigured to actuate the set of unscrewing assemblies 20 and at least aportion of the elevator assembly 40 during operation, as will bedescribed below.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the driving assembly 30 includesa driver element 106, a set of idler elements 108, and a driving element112 which are rotatably coupled, in a single plane, to the mountingplate 104. For example, the mounting plate 104 is configured to support,and to allow relative rotation of, each of the driver element 106, setof idler elements 108, and driving element 112 during operation. Whilethe driver element 106, set of idler elements 108, and the drivingelement 112 can be configured in a variety of ways, in one arrangement,the elements 108, 108, 112 are configured as gears such that the driverelement 106 is configured to mesh with the set of idler elements 108,and the set of idler elements 108 are configured to mesh with thedriving element 112.

The driver element 106 is connected to a motor assembly 115, such as aservo motor and gearbox, and includes a set of peripheral teeth 107which mesh with corresponding peripheral teeth 109 of the set of idlerelements 108. The set of idler elements 108 are configured to disposethe motor assembly 115 and the associated driver element 106 at lateraldistance d from the driving element 112 in order to minimizeinterference between the motor assembly 115 and the driving element 112during operation. While the set of idler elements 108 can include anynumber of idler elements, in one arrangement, the set of idler elements108 includes a first idler element 108-1 and a second idler element108-2.

Rotation of the driving element 112 is configured to actuate theunscrewing assemblies 20 and operate the elevator assembly 40 todisengage threaded molded articles from the corresponding threaded cores130 following a molding procedure.

For example, with reference to both FIGS. 2 and 4, the set of unscrewingassemblies 20 includes a plurality of individual unscrewing assemblies110 are disposed about an outer circumference of the driving element112. In the arrangement illustrated, the set of unscrewing assemblies 20includes twelve unscrewing assemblies 110 disposed about thecircumference of the driving element 112 and in operative communicationwith the driving element 112.

As indicated in FIG. 4, each unscrewing assembly 110 includes a base 123and an unscrewing element 126. In one arrangement, the base 123 isconnected to the mounting plate 104 and the unscrewing element 126 isrotatably connected to the base 123. The unscrewing element 126surrounds the threaded core 130 of an injection mold and is disposed inoperative communication with the driving element 112. For example, theunscrewing element 126 carries a set of teeth 122 disposed peripherallyabout a circumference of the unscrewing assembly 110 and bearingelements 124. With reference to FIG. 3, the teeth 122 of the unscrewingelement 126 are configured to mesh with a set of teeth 120 disposedperipherally about a circumference of the driving element 112.

Returning to FIG. 4, the unscrewing assembly 110 is configured to engagea portion threaded mold article to allow removal of the threaded moldarticle from the threaded core 130 following a molding procedure. Forexample, the unscrewing element 126 includes a set of ratcheting teeth128 configured to engage a portion of the threaded molded article, suchas a base or bottom skirt of a threaded molded article.

In use, rotation of the driving element 112 rotates the unscrewingelement 126 of each unscrewing assembly 110 to decouple or loosen athreaded molded article from a corresponding threaded core 130. Forexample, with particular reference to FIG. 2, rotation of the driverelement 106 in a counterclockwise direction causes the driving element112 to rotate in a clockwise direction 117 via idler elements 108-1,108-2. Such rotation of the driving element 112 causes the unscrewingelement 126 of each unscrewing assembly 110 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction 119. With such rotation of each unscrewingelement 126, as indicated in FIG. 4, the ratcheting teeth 128 rotate thethreaded molded article counterclockwise about a longitudinal axis 121relative to threaded core 130. Rotation of the threaded molded articlerelative to the threaded core 130 disengages the threads of the threadedmolded article from corresponding threads 132 of the threaded core 130.

As indicated above, the driving assembly 30 is also configured tooperate the elevator assembly 40 to disengage threaded molded articlesfrom the corresponding threaded cores 130. In one arrangement, and withreference to FIGS. 3 and 5-9, the elevator assembly 40 includes a firstelevator element 114, also termed a helical ramp cam follower, and asecond elevator element 140, also termed a helical elevator camfollower. As will be described below, interaction between the firstelevator element 114 and the second elevator element 140 is configuredto cause translation of a threaded molded article from the threaded core130 along a longitudinal direction 300.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first elevator element 114 includes afirst or top portion 116 and a second or bottom portion 120 opposing thefirst portion 116. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top portion 116of the first elevator element 114 is rotatably connected to the mountingplate 104 via driving element 112. For example, the first portion 116 ofthe first elevator element 114 can be secured to a planar face of thedriving element 112 such that the second portion 120 extends toward thefixed plate 200 of the ejection system 10. Alternately, the firstportion 116 of the first elevator element 114 can be secured to thedriving element 112 such that the second portion 120 of the firstelevator element 114 extends through an opening defined by the drivingelement 112 toward the fixed plate 200. Accordingly, with suchconnection, rotation of the driving element 112 in a clockwise direction117 also causes the first elevator element 114 to rotate in a clockwisedirection.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second portion 120 of thefirst elevator element 114 is configured to engage a first portion 144of the second elevator element 140. For example, with particularreference to FIG. 6, the second portion 120 of the first elevatorelement 114 defines a substantially helically-shaped interface 129. Asillustrated, the substantially helically-shaped interface 129 of thesecond portion 120 defines an angle of inclination 133 that increasesabout the circumference of first elevator element 114 from a firstradial location 125 to a second radial location 127. A meeting locationor interface between the first and second radial locations 125, 127defines a vertical face 122 of the first elevator element 114.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second elevator element 140 includes thefirst or top portion 144 and a second or bottom portion 146 opposing thefirst portion 144. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the second or bottomportion 146 of the second elevator element 140 is connected to the fixedplate 200. Accordingly, in use, rotation of the driving element 112 willnot cause substantial motion or rotation of the second elevator element140.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, the first portion 144 of the secondelevator element 140 defines a substantially helically-shaped interface142. For example, the interface 142 of the first portion 144 defines anangle of inclination 149 that increases about the circumference of thesecond elevator element 140 from a first radial location 145 to a secondradial location 147. A meeting location between the first and secondradial locations 145, 147 defines a vertical face 148 of the secondelevator element 140.

In use, at the start of operation as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 8, thevertical face 122 of the first elevator element 114 abuts the verticalface 148 of the second elevator element 140. Accordingly, thesubstantially thickest portion 127 of the helically-shaped interface 129of the first elevator element 114 opposes the substantially thinnestportion 145 of the helically-shaped interface 142 of the second elevatorelement 140. With such positioning, the mounting plate 104 and the fixedplate 200 are disposed in a closed or first position as illustrated inFIG. 1.

Rotation of the driving element 112 in a clockwise direction 117 causesthe first elevator element 114 to rotate relative to the second elevatorelement 140 which causes the helically-shaped interface 129 of the firstelevator element 114 to rotate relative to the helically-shapedinterface 142 of the second elevator element 140. Such rotation move thesubstantially thickest portion 127 of the interface 129 of the firstelevator element 114 towards the substantially thickest portion 147 ofthe interface 142 of the second elevator element 140. This, in turn,causes the mounting plate 104, including the unscrewing assembly 110, totranslate along direction 300 relative to the fixed plate 200 betweenthe first position, as indicated in FIG. 1, and a second or openposition, as indicated by the gap 302 between the mounting plate 104 andthe fixed plate 200 in FIG. 10. Linear translation of the unscrewingassemblies 110 provides linear translation of molded threaded articlesrelative to the threaded cores 130 of the injection mold 5.

As described above, the first and second elevator elements 114, 140 areconfigured to provide substantially continuous cam action to thethreaded mold decoupling system 15. The substantially continuous camaction provides a relatively faster cycle time relative to conventionalmechanisms, as it is not necessary to reset the elevator elements 114,140 during the cycle. Further, use of the first and second elevatorelements 114, 140 provides a relative increase in the speed at which themolded articles can be decoupled from the threaded cores 130 which, inturn, increases the relative quantity of threaded molded articles thatan associated injection mold 5 can produce.

With respect to the operation of the driving assembly 30, the rotationof the driving element 112 causes the unscrewing core 126 of eachunscrewing assembly 110 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction todisengage threaded molded articles from their corresponding threadedcores 130. Further, rotation of the driving element 112 also causeslinear translation 300 of each unscrewing assembly 110, including thetranslation of the unscrewing core 126 of each unscrewing assembly 110,relative to the threaded core 130. Accordingly, by providingsubstantially simultaneous rotational and linear motion to theunscrewing core 126 of each decoupling assembly 110, each unscrewingassembly 110 provides decoupling of a threaded molded article from acorresponding threaded core 130.

In one arrangement, at the end of the decoupling process, as theinjection mold opens, an ejection mechanism such as a preloaded springmechanism (e.g., a Bellville disc spring mechanism), can advance thestripper plate forward to eject the threaded molded articles from thecorresponding threaded cores 130. The preloaded spring mechanism, suchas a Bellville disc spring mechanism, is configured to provide a presetclearance on a taper shutoff between the decoupling assemblies and thecorresponding threaded core 130. Alternately, an ejection mechanism suchas a pneumatic ejection assist system can eject the molded plasticcomponents from the injection mold 5.

Following ejection of the molded plastic components, the drivingassembly 30 is configured to rewind the first elevator element 114 andunscrewing assemblies 110 back to a starting position.

For example, with reference to FIG. 2, rotation of the driver element106 by the motor assembly in a clockwise direction (i.e., a seconddirection relative to the first, counterclockwise direction describedabove) causes the driving element 112 to rotate in a counterclockwisedirection via idler elements 108-1, 108-2. Such rotation of the drivingelement 112 causes the unscrewing element 126 of each unscrewingassembly 110 to rotate in a clockwise direction to reset the ratchetingteeth 128 to a first or starting position.

Also, rotation of the driving element 112 in the counterclockwisedirection causes the first elevator element 114 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction relative to the second elevator element 140.Such rotation translates the substantially thickest portion 127 of theinterface 129 of the first elevator element 114 from a location inopposition with the substantially thickest portion 147 of the interface142 of the second elevator element 140 to a location in opposition withthe substantially thinnest portion 145 of the interface 142 of thesecond elevator element 140. With such positioning, the vertical face122 of the first elevator element 114 abuts the vertical face 148 of thesecond elevator element 140. Additionally, such relative positioning ofthe first and second elevator elements 114, 140 causes the mountingplate 104 to translate along direction 304 relative to the fixed plate200 between the second position, as indicated in FIG. 10, and a firstposition, as indicated in FIG. 1.

In the arrangement indicated above, the set of unscrewing assemblies 20includes a plurality of individual unscrewing assemblies 110 that aredisposed about an outer circumference of the driving element 112. Forexample, in the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the set of unscrewingassemblies 20 includes twelve unscrewing assemblies 110 disposed aboutthe circumference of the driving element 112 and in operativecommunication with the driving element 112. In use, the driving element112 is configured to rotate the unscrewing element 126 of eachunscrewing assembly 110 to disengage a threaded molded article from acorresponding treaded core 130. Such an arrangement is by way of exampleonly. In one arrangement, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the set ofunscrewing assemblies 20 defines subsets of unscrewing assemblies 350where each subset of unscrewing assemblies includes a hub element 400disposed in operative communication with the plurality of unscrewingassemblies and one unscrewing assembly 110 of the subset of unscrewingassemblies 350 being disposed in operative communication with a drivingelement 112.

Taking the first subset of unscrewing assemblies 350-1 as an example,the first subset of unscrewing assemblies 350-1 includes first, second,third, and fourth unscrewing assemblies 110-1 through 110-4 disposed inoperative communication with hub element 400-1. For example, the hubelement 400-1 can be a gear having teeth configured to mesh with theteeth 122 of each unscrewing assembly 110-1 through 110-4. The firstsubset of unscrewing assemblies 350-1 further includes an unscrewingassembly, in this case unscrewing assembly 110-1, disposed in operativecommunication with the driving element 112, such as via a meshing of theteeth 122 of the unscrewing assembly 110-1 with the teeth 120 of thedriving element 112.

In use, and with continued reference to the first subset of unscrewingassemblies 350-1, as the driving element 112 rotates clockwise viarotation of the driver element 106 and idler element 108, the drivingelement 112 rotates the first unscrewing assembly 110-1 in acounterclockwise direction. Rotation of the first unscrewing assembly110-1, in turn, rotates the hub element 400-1 in a clockwise direction.The hub element 400-1 transfers this rotational movement to theunscrewing element 126 of each of the second, third, and fourthunscrewing assemblies 110-2, 110-3, 110-4 to decouple or loosen arespective threaded molded article from a corresponding threaded core130.

While various embodiments of the innovation have been particularly shownand described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the innovation as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A threaded mold decoupling system, comprising: atleast one unscrewing assembly rotatably coupled to a mounting plate, theat least one unscrewing assembly disposed in proximity to a threadedcore of an injection mold; an elevator assembly having a first elevatorelement rotatably coupled to the mounting plate and a second elevatorelement connected to a fixed plate, the fixed plate opposing themounting plate; and a driving assembly disposed in operativecommunication with the at least one unscrewing assembly and with thefirst elevator element of the elevator assembly, the driving assemblyconfigured to: actuate the at least one unscrewing assembly to rotate amolded article about a longitudinal axis of the threaded core, andactuate the first elevator element relative to the second elevatorelement to linearly translate the mounting plate relative to the fixedplate and to translate the molded article along the longitudinal axis ofthe threaded core.
 2. The threaded mold decoupling system of claim 1,wherein the driving assembly comprises a driving element rotatablyconnected to the mounting plate.
 3. The threaded mold decoupling systemof claim 2, wherein the at least one unscrewing assembly comprises: abase connected to the mounting plate; and an unscrewing elementrotatably connected to the base, the unscrewing element disposed inoperative communication with driving element, disposed about thethreaded core of the injection mold, and configured to engage a portionof the molded article.
 4. The threaded mold decoupling system of claim3, wherein the at least one unscrewing assembly comprises a plurality ofunscrewing assemblies, each unscrewing assembly of the plurality ofunscrewing assemblies disposed about an outer circumference of thedriving element and each unscrewing assembly of the plurality ofunscrewing assemblies disposed in operative communication with thedriving element.
 5. The threaded mold decoupling system of claim 3,wherein the at least one unscrewing assembly comprises a plurality ofunscrewing assemblies and a hub element disposed in operativecommunication with the plurality of unscrewing assemblies, oneunscrewing assembly of the plurality of unscrewing assemblies beingdisposed in operative communication with the driving element.
 6. Thethreaded mold decoupling system of claim 2, wherein the first elevatorelement is connected to the driving element and is rotatably connectedto the mounting plate via the driving element.
 7. The threaded molddecoupling system of claim 6, wherein the first elevator elementcomprises a substantially helically-shaped interface defining: an angleof inclination that increases about the circumference of the firstelevator element from a first radial location to a second radiallocation; and a vertical face disposed between the first radial locationand the second radial location.
 8. The threaded mold decoupling systemof claim 7, wherein the second elevator element comprises asubstantially helically-shaped interface defining: an angle ofinclination that increases about the circumference of the secondelevator element from a first radial location to a second radiallocation; and a vertical face disposed between the first radial locationand the second radial location.
 9. The threaded mold decoupling systemof claim 1, wherein the driving element is configured to rotate firstelevator element relative to second elevator element to dispose themounting plate between a first position relative to the fixed plate anda second position relative to the fixed plate.
 10. An ejection system,comprising: a fixed plate; a mounting plate opposing the fixed plate andconfigured to translate relative to the fixed plate; and a threaded molddecoupling system, comprising: at least one unscrewing assemblyrotatably coupled to a mounting plate, the at least one unscrewingassembly disposed in proximity to a threaded core of an injection mold;an elevator assembly having a first elevator element rotatably coupledto the mounting plate and a second elevator element connected to a fixedplate, the fixed plate opposing the mounting plate; and a drivingassembly disposed in operative communication with the at least oneunscrewing assembly and with the first elevator element of the elevatorassembly, the driving assembly configured to: actuate the at least oneunscrewing assembly to rotate a molded article about a longitudinal axisof the threaded core, and actuate the first elevator element relative tothe second elevator element to linearly translate the mounting platerelative to the fixed plate and to translate the molded article alongthe longitudinal axis of the threaded core.
 11. The ejection system ofclaim 10, wherein the driving assembly comprises a driving elementrotatably connected to the mounting plate.
 12. The ejection system ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one unscrewing assembly comprises: a baseconnected to the mounting plate; and an unscrewing element rotatablyconnected to the base, the unscrewing element disposed in operativecommunication with driving element, disposed about the threaded core ofthe injection mold, and configured to engage a portion of the moldedarticle.
 13. The ejection system of claim 12, wherein the at least oneunscrewing assembly comprises a plurality of unscrewing assemblies, eachunscrewing assembly of the plurality of unscrewing assemblies disposedabout an outer circumference of the driving element and each unscrewingassembly of the plurality of unscrewing assemblies disposed in operativecommunication with the driving element.
 14. The ejection system of claim12, wherein the at least one unscrewing assembly comprises a pluralityof unscrewing assemblies and a hub element disposed in operativecommunication with the plurality of unscrewing assemblies, oneunscrewing assembly of the plurality of unscrewing assemblies beingdisposed in operative communication with the driving element.
 15. Thethreaded mold decoupling system of claim 11, wherein the first elevatorelement is connected to the driving element and is rotatably connectedto the mounting plate via the driving element.
 16. The ejection systemof claim 15, wherein the first elevator element comprises asubstantially helically-shaped interface defining: an angle ofinclination that increases about the circumference of the first elevatorelement from a first radial location to a second radial location; and avertical face disposed between the first radial location and the secondradial location.
 17. The threaded mold decoupling system of claim 16,wherein the second elevator element comprises a substantiallyhelically-shaped interface defining: an angle of inclination thatincreases about the circumference of the second elevator element from afirst radial location to a second radial location; and a vertical facedisposed between the first radial location and the second radiallocation.
 18. The ejection system of claim 10, wherein the drivingelement is configured to rotate first elevator element relative tosecond elevator element to dispose the mounting plate between a firstposition relative to the fixed plate and a second position relative tothe fixed plate.